The human nervous and hormonal systems: Practice Questions

During a reflex action, such as withdrawing a hand from a hot object, what is the correct sequence of the pathway taken by the electrical impulse?

In the human nervous system, what is the role of a relay neurone during a reflex action?

In the human nervous system, the pathway of a reflex arc ensures a rapid, automatic response to a stimulus. What occurs at a synapse between a sensory neurone and a relay neurone during this process?

During a reflex action, such as a hand-withdrawal reflex from a sharp pin, an electrical impulse travels through a specific pathway. What happens at the synapse between the sensory neurone and the relay neurone?

Describe the pathway of a reflex arc using the following terms in the correct sequence: receptor, sensory neurone, synapse, relay neurone, motor neurone, and effector.

Homeostasis is the regulation of internal conditions to maintain an optimum environment for cell function.

a) When blood glucose levels rise after a meal, the pancreas releases a specific hormone. Name this hormone and explain how it causes a decrease in blood glucose concentration.
b) Compare the causes and treatments of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
c) Describe the role of glucagon in the body when blood glucose levels fall too low.

Blood glucose concentration is a vital internal condition that must be kept relatively constant.

a) A person eats a meal high in carbohydrates. Describe how the pancreas and the liver work together to return the blood glucose level to normal. Name the hormone involved.
b) Contrast the physiological cause of Type 1 diabetes with the physiological cause of Type 2 diabetes.
c) Glucagon is released when blood glucose levels fall. Explain the specific effect glucagon has on the liver.